Vieira Set for FA Cup Debut

Mancini has stated in an interview on the official site that new signing Patrick Vieira will not feature in the games against Everton, or the first leg of the Carling Cup. If all goes well, he is expected to play in the FA Cup against Scunthorpe.

In other injury news, Stephen Ireland is possibly in line to return against United on Tuesday, with Onuoha and Bridge also close to returning.

Vieira Signs: Six Month Deal with Option of Twelve More

It was confirmed earlier that Roberto Mancini has completed his first signing as manager of City, the French midfielder Patrick Vieira. Vieira has signed on a six month deal, with the option of another twelve months. In an article on the official site, Vieira says

"When I look at the players City have got, I think we can achieve a lot. I strongly believe we are not out of the race to win the title but we need to believe the club can do it, because we can."

Speaking about the singing, Mancini said

"Patrick is one of the great players of his era with every almost every honour in the game against his name. I am sure City fans will welcome him warmly and appreciate the contribution he will make."

This is an interesting signing, but by no means a bad one. With the injuries ravaging our squad, all areas are looking thin. Whilst I am not sure how many games he will be starting, having a player with the pedigree of Vieira in the squad is surely an asset. Im glad that Mancini's first major act as City boss wasn't to launch a raid on one the continents high flyers (need we be reminded of the Eto'o foul up over the summer). This is a sensible signing to boost the depth in the midfield. Having won the world cup with France in '98, and a variety of other trophies, Vieira is also very experienced, something perhaps lacking in the middle of the park for City. I have no doubt that this experience and leadership will be beneficial to the club.

Vieira, who will wear the number 24 shirt, is a doubt for Monday's visit of Blackburn with an injury sustained during his final match for Inter earlier in the week.

Vieira to Have Medical, 18 Month Contract to Follow

Patrick Vieira is set to have a medical at some point today, with a view to signing an 18 month contract.

Speaking of the move, Vieira said

"I set myself an objective, I want to go to the World Cup," he told Eurosport.

"The important thing for me is to go to Manchester City and to show the coach (Roberto Mancini) I'm the same player as when he was in charge of Inter."

It looks like the veteran Frenchman could be available for the Blackburn game, even if only from the bench.

Mourinho: 'Vieira has played last game for Inter'

So according to Inter bose Jose Mourinho, rumored City target Patrick Vieira has played his last game for Inter Milan. Speaking after Inter's 1-0 victory earlier today, he was quoted as saying:

I should give a special mention to Vieira, who certainly played his last game with us.

"I don't know where he will go, maybe to England which he likes a lot, but we should thank him for what he has done in these years at Inter.

"The club decided not to renew his contract, which is coming to an end, and to accept the offer of another club."

If the club in question is City, which at this point, seems a certainty, I would expect the deal to be finalized by the end of the week. I dont know if this will be soon enough for Vieira to be playing on Monday night, but we shall see.

Transfer Rumours - 04/01/2010

Couple of rumours emerged this morning and over the weekend:

- First up, Victor Moses, the rated Crystal Palace striker. The Daily Mail has city contemplating making an offer, but Palace's £5m price tag is apparently more than the club is willing to pay.

- The next rumoured target is Patrick Vieira. Mancini was the manager who purchased Vieira for Inter back in 2006. The soon to be 34 year midfielder is reported to be coming to Eastlands on a loan deal, as he looks to improve his chances of representing France this summer.
UPDATE This popped up again in the MEN, again talking about a loan deal. Interestingly, the article mentions he could be available to face United on Wednesday

- Rubin Kazan's £6 rated defender Cristian Ansaldi is also another reported target for City this January. The full back positions are said to be an area Mancini wants to strengthen, with the Argentinian supposed high on the list of priorities.

Im not convinced on the first two- whilst Moses is indeed a talented player, with Adebayor, Tevez, RSC, Bellemy and Robiniho available for the club, its hard to see him getting any game time. So unless the club buys him then loans him straight back out for a few years, its hard to see this being a worth while signing.

Similarly with Vieira, I can't see him fitting in. From his first three games, Mancini seems to like the defensive minded Barry and De Jong playing together, with Ireland and Petrov playing ahead of them. With SWP to return from injury, and Garrido and Kompany options to play in the middle, there doesn't seem to be any room for the veteran midfielder.

Ansaldi is a possibility. Mancini has tried Sylvinho, Zabaleta and Garrido at left various points over his games so far, so this definatly seems like a position he could look to strengthen. If he does come however, what does this mean for Wayne Bridges hopes of making to South Africa in the summer?